Ukrainian Legal Foundation

The Ukrainian Legal Foundation was founded in 1992 by members of the executive committee of the Association of Ukrainian Lawyers and lawyers from the Ukrainian diaspora. ULF's projects include: the creation of the Ukrainian Center for Human Rights; an active legal publishing program; Ukrainian Center for Legal Studies; Legislative Drafting/Codification program; Center for Legal Terminology, Translations and Dictionaries; Scholarship/Internship program; Judicial Reform program; the Professional Bar Association; establishment of legal library collections; and consultation on the major constitutional/ legislative issues in Ukraine.

In February 1994 ULF established the National Legal Library of Ukraine, the country's first legal library. In 1995, with assistance from the U.S.-based Sabre Foundation, it began to develop a network of such libraries by establishing a branch in Kharkiv. Future libraries will be established in Lviv and Odessa. ULF's publishing program includes: a quarterly journal, Ukrainian Law; books of legal codification; and the publication of drafts of laws. In 1995 ULF, in cooperation with the American Bar Association, initiated a project that will result in the establish-ment of a professional organization of lawyers in Ukraine.

The Ukrainian Legal Foundation is starting a new project in co-operation with the Council of Europe and the Ministry of Education of Ukraine. The project will provide support and consultancy for the legislative and policy frameworks needed for the development of the education system, in particular higher education, with regard to the national minorities and formerly deported peoples (FDP) in Ukraine. In the first phase, a seminar bringing together relevant officials and representatives will determine the objectives and expected outcomes of educational policy for national minorities and FDP in Ukraine. In the second phase, precise legislative formulations and implementation mechanisms will be developed by a working group together with the President's Administration, the Ministry of Education, the State Committee for National Minorities and Migration, and the Ministry of Justice. The Ukrainian Legal Foundation will perform as an implementing partner operating on the basis of Agreement with the Ministry of Education.

Project Background: The Ukrainian authorities are doing important work towards the development of Ukrainian legislation related to refugees, national minorities and FDP. The Legislative Reform Programme for Higher Education (LRP) has been working together with the Ukrainian Ministry of Education towards new legislation on education (1998) and on higher education (1999). This work is targeted at elimination of all forms of discrimination and the protection of human rights. Issues relating to ensuring the quality of, and access to, education for national minorities and FDP is a pressing concern which draws the Ukrainian authorities, NGOs and the Council of Europe together with a common goal.

Last updated:    July 1999

A print version of much of the information contained in this NIS Third Sector Organizations section can be found in the The Post-Soviet Handbook (Seattle and London: University of Washington Press, 1999).

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